GM compared to PCA

An announcement was made this past week whereby General Motors would pay out 900 million dollars as a result of the ignition key switch defect that has cost the lives of over 100 people. On the other hand, the owner of the Peanut Corporation of America has been found guilty and is facing a prison term that could amount to life in prison for the deaths of nine people. If you will recall, this was the same company that knowingly distributed peanuts for use in food products consumed by both people and animals tainted with salmonella bacteria. When the two cases are compared, how is it that the deaths of nine people rate the imprisonment of the company owner when the deaths of over 100 require only a monetary payment from the company and no prison time for any of the company’s senior management?